NORTHAMPTON- The Northampton-based National Priorities Project, which was recently nominated for a Nobel Prize, has announced that executive director Jo Comerford will step down from her post at the end of May.

Comerford, who previously served as director of programs for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and program coordinator of American Friends Services Committee of Western Massachusetts, took the job at the National Priorities Project in 2008. She will be succeeded by Douglas J. Hall, the director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and a member of the National Priorities Project board of directors. Hall will officially assumed the post on June 9. Comerford will stay on as a senior advisor.

"I've been working with the board to make sure the transition is smooth and solid," Comerford said Wednesday, adding that it has been "an unbelievable honor and privilege" to lead the National Priorities Project. She also thanked Board chairman Dennis Bidwell for his help and support. In a press release, Budwell returned the compliment.

"Jo has provided outstanding leadership to NPP through six transformative years," said Bidwell. "She has assembled an outstanding staff, has worked tirelessly to hone NPP's message and products, and has greatly expanded NPP's donor base and financial strength. And she's done it all with enormous sensitivity and caring. All of us on the board of directors will miss her greatly."

Bidwell credited Comerford with playing a key role in building an organization, which analyzes the impact of federal spending policies on local communities. In February, the National Priorities Project was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, vying for the honor with whistle-blowers Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning and other nominees . The recipient will be announced in October. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa are among those who have received the Nobel Peace Prize in the past. Comerford has called that "heady company."

"We consider ourselves the people's guide to the federal budget," she said when the nomination was announced. "We think that everyone has the opportunity and the ability to shape U.S. tax policy."

Wednesday, she felt confident of the project's prospefts.

"I'll be cheering when we win it," she said.

Comerford said she will work for the national on-line advocacy group Move On in addition to serving as a senior advisor to the National Priorities Project.

Hall, an Amherst resident, brings expertise and research skills to the job, Bidwell said.

"He starts his new job with extensive knowledge of the work and structure of the organization," Bidwell said in a press release. "The board is thrilled to welcome Doug as NPP's new executive director."

In his current post, Hall has extensively studied the impact of national budget decisions at the state and local levels. He previously served as director of operations and research for Connecticut Voices for Children.

"I am honored and humbled to assume leadership of this incredible organization, and to follow in the footsteps of visionary leaders like Jo Comerford and (founder) Greg Speeter," Hall said. "The relevance of NPP's work continues to grow, and we can and will strive to reach new heights together in the years ahead."